Moroccan Petite Shortbreads for Ashura - Krichlate or Fkikssate
Qrishlat, Krichlat, Fqiqssat or Q'iq'ats are tiny sweet shortbread cookies. We mostly associate them with Ashura (Achoura). They are also the perfect nibbles with tea or coffee and the easiest thing to do. They last for weeks when stored in an airtight container.
Yield: 8
Calories: 282kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp butter, melted and cooled
- 2 tbsp orange blossom water
- 1 egg
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1/3 cup sesame seeds, preferably unhulled
- 1 tbsp aniseed
- 1 tsp fennel seeds roughly crushed or in powder
- 1 tsp baking powder
Instructions
- Using a manual whisk, mix all liquid ingredients with the sugar and salt.
- Fold in the dry ingredients, leaving the flour for last. Mix with a spatula and finish with your hand to make sure it's fully combined. (It is not ideal to use a food processor in this recipe as you might chop the sesame seeds. However, you can use a regular mixer to combine the ingredients.)
- Shape long rods of dough about 0.4" (1 cm) thick. You can place them in the fridge for 1 hour or 20 min in the freezer to help with the cutting process or you can start cutting straight away after you formed all the rods.
- Start with the first dough rod you shaped. Cut small bits no more than 0.2" inch thick and place them on a lined baking tray. You will need to leave about 0.4" between each krichla.
- Bake at 325° F (160° C) for about 20 minutes or until they look slightly golden.
- Once completely cooled, store in airtight containers. They will keep for 3 weeks, more or less.
Notes
- Use the same recipe to make the famous kaak of Safi.
- Depending on the region and the city, krichlate might refer to el gors or Qrachels/Krachels which are enriched and flavored sweet rolls. Fkikssat/Fqiqssat might refer to petite fekkas which requires double baking.
Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 112mg | Iron: 3mg
Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate obtained from online calculators. Optional ingredients may not be included in the nutritional information.
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